HB 288 — The transfer of public school students who are children

90R1703 GP-D By: Flores H.B. No. 288 relating to the transfer of public school students who are children of certain public servants.

SECTION 1. Section 25.0344, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 25.0344. TRANSFER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE CHILDREN OF CERTAIN PUBLIC SERVANTS [ PEACE OFFICERS ]. (a) In this section : (1) "Parent" includes a person standing in parental relation to a student. (2) "Peace [ , "peace ] officer" has the meaning assigned by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code. (3) "Servicemember" means an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, or the Texas National Guard. (b) On request of [ a peace officer who is ] a parent of [ or person standing in parental relation to ] a student, the board of trustees of a school district or the board's designee shall transfer the student to another district campus or to another school district under an agreement under Section 25.035 , if the parent is: (1) a peace officer; (2) a servicemember; or (3) a judge or justice, including a justice of the peace, of a county, state, or federal court in this state . (c) A transfer under this section must be to the campus or school district, as applicable, selected by the parent [ peace officer ] making the request. (d) A school district is not required to provide transportation to a student who transfers to another campus or school district under this section.

SECTION 2. Section 25.0345, Education Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2027.